A Chennai women’s club encourages small entrepreneurs
Project Spark was conceived in March 2024 when on a hot summer afternoon, I met a woman selling koozh (rice gruel) on a pavement. She used steel tumblers and a jug and I loved the drink. It’s the most local gut-friendly food one can have in the scorching summers of Chennai,” recalls Nisreen Madraswala, president of RC Chennai Bharathi, RID 3234.
This sparked an idea in her mind; she had always wanted to do something to help small and tiny entrepreneurs by providing them a space to market their produce. As this gelled nicely with her own interest in functional medicine and gut health, she decided to take it forward through her club’s platform. Specially because it fell under Rotary’s focus area of community economic development and would also be a great public image initiative.
The club’s team invited people who owned small businesses to register, “and we met them every month and curated our Rotary speaker meets around themes such as business acumen, strategies and how to grow small businesses.”
Every participant embodied a story of courage, creativity, and conscious living in that dynamic space for learning.
These efforts culminated in a grand finale in June, where 13 participants pitched their ideas to a jury comprising eminent people with expertise in wellness and startups. People were invited to take stalls and display their products or services under the same umbrella of wellness, traditional and sustainable products. Three winners were recognised with prizes and they will now connect with one of the jury members to grow their business further.
At the carnival-like event, there was laughter, music, learning and networking throughout the day. The participants were invited for a “come pitch” initiative, a DIY workshop was held to upcycle glass bottles, a lively music concert was held in the hall by the On the Streets Foundation. (The OTS Foundation band performs across the streets, parks, beaches, metros and many other public places in Chennai with a vision to make the metro the Street Music Capital of the world!)
Considering the response it got, the event team was happy that it proved to be more than just a marketplace — “it was a vibrant confluence of sustainability, inclusivity, and heartfelt entrepreneurial journeys.” Curated as a tribute to World Environment Day and Pride Month, Spark saw participation from 30 entrepreneurs, offering products such as medicinal chutneys, guilt-free desserts and wellness products. “What truly set the event apart was the compelling narrative behind every stall — from women-led enterprises to LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs and eco-warriors, every participant embodied a story of courage, creativity, and conscious living. It created a dynamic space for learning, networking, pitching and celebration,” said Nisreen.
“Our intent was simple yet powerful, to create a space where local talent gets the spotlight it deserves, and their brands get consumer support. Seeing the energy, passion, and purpose in that room, we hope Spark is only the beginning of a larger movement.”
The funds raised — over ₹1 lakh — will go towards supporting a transwoman and the woman selling koozh.
The products made by the participants ranged from Artisans Buzz’s upcycled bags made by women using tailoring waste, to Viridian Plate’s plant-based culinary innovations, to Namma Suvai’s farm-fresh groceries.
The funds raised — over ₹1 lakh — will go towards supporting a transwoman who runs a restaurant and “that lady selling koozh who inspired me to organise this event.”
Bharati, the wife of DG Saravanan took up a stall named the Thrift Store where all the pre-used items, from other women Rotary members of her group, were donated. This sale raised around ₹15,400 which will go to fund a food cart, another Rotary project.
